Exercise is extremely important in any young person’s life. It is said that it can improve your emotional and mental well-being as well as keeping you fit and healthy. The amount of stress students and young professionals face on a daily basis is dependent on the individual, however, physical activity can help students reduce some of this stress according to the ‘Anxiety and Depressive Society of America’. The Covid-19 global pandemic has sent stress levels to a new extreme for many people. There needs to be more emphasis on how to stay moving, fit, sane and healthy during a lockdown!
Gym Equipment Substitutions for At-Home Workouts
In March 2020, Ireland was put into its first lockdown due to the outbreak of Covid-19. The weather was good and the sun was out, which made it easier for people to get outside more to go for a walk, to go for a run or to adapt their exercises to the outdoors. However nowadays, in the cold, dark weather it is easy for many students or young professionals with work to do, to dismiss the need for exercise especially as the gyms are closed. The closure of gyms has affected many students and young professionals around Ireland who would rely on this type of exercise for de-stressing, losing weight, staying in shape and feeling good. As the majority of students and young professionals would not be able to afford expensive gym equipment for their house, I have some tips on equipment substitutions that I have found to be extremely useful.
A weighted vest is something you wear which increases your heart rate, engages your muscles and makes you work harder to optimise your workout by adding extra weight to your body.
These would be great as a substitute for lighter weight dumbbells. They would do the same function which is to engage your muscles and intensify your workout.
A heavy jug of laundry detergent is a great substitute when you are in need of a bit more weight. You can use it to do Russian twists and other floor exercises such as, overhead sit-ups and glute bridges.
You can use this for many barbell exercises such as, bench press, dead-lifts, squats etc. It may seem ridiculous to use pet food but if it is balanced evenly on each side, it works!
Gliders are equipment to help to engage your core during floor exercises and are usually flat plastic discs. Using paper plates are similar as they would be able to provide the same function of sliding along the floor which is exactly what gliders are for.
Different forms of Exercise to Stay Moving Throughout the Day
As a student myself, I thought it would be appropriate to reach out to others to describe some of the forms of exercise that I have been doing during this lockdown to stay healthy, feel more energetic, increase my motivation to do college work and stay fit. I understand that not all forms of exercise will suit every individual but it’s all about finding the right form of exercise for you! I try to incorporate one or more of these options into my daily routine to keep me sane and I also find it fantastic for my mindset.
Since the lockdown has been implemented again, I find that I am trying to get outside at some point during the day to get some fresh air and exercise. I think including this in your daily routine allows you to get out of the house and challenge yourself to reach new goals and push your limits.
Here are some walks you can do with friends, family or loved ones during lockdown:
I find this to be one of the most rewarding ways to get my exercise in for the day. You can push yourself and work hard in the comfort of your own home. If students have not tried this I would recommend attempting to do so especially if you were an avid member in your gym. It allows you to take a break from work to clear your head.
Here is a beginner YouTube home workout video to try:
More useful workout videos:
I find that if you have a bike – cycling is a great way to stay in shape and lose the lockdown weight. It doesn’t have to be anything too intense, but it improves your mental well-being, your heart rate and allows you to get fresh air. I also find that swimming in the Irish sea is great for your body after a run or an at-home workout, as it allows for good blood ciculation making you feel more alert and active for the rest of the day.
Here are some great cycling routes and swimming locations:
Lockdown is a tough situation to endure for everybody in the world but there are ways that students and young professionals can make the most of it and set an example to younger and older generations by making that extra effort to stay fit and healthy. By staying hydrated and thinking of motivating factors to get you moving, you are finding ways of surviving this ordeal. We can get through this lockdown together by learning the best ways of how to physically and mentally feel good.
Click the links to join our journey to a happy healthy lockdown: